Meat Market Says Employee Tested Positive For Coronavirus

TAMPA, FL — The popular steakhouse, Meat Market Tampa, announced on its Facebook pageMonday that an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.

“We were informed on Monday, June 8, by an employee they were not feeling well. They were instructed to stay home, and get tested which they did," said the restaurant's management.

The management assured patrons that "since reopening, we have implemented stringent practices including providing information and reinforcing best practices regarding proper hygiene and illness prevention with all staff. Hand sanitizer is readily available at high-touch points throughout the restaurant, and we have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in all areas. We have ensured all cleaning chemicals align with CDC recommendations, and we have a designated team during and after service, who are tasked with cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting to the highest standards."

The restaurant's management said they had all protocols in place to prevent this.

"Despite our best efforts to mitigate exposure by implementing temperature checks, daily questionnaires of our staff, and complying with all CDC, OSHA, local, state and federal guidelines, we have become aware of an exposure of COVID-19 at our Tampa restaurant early last week. As such, per CDC guidelines, we immediately implemented risk mitigation protocols, including contact tracing. Further, those who we know may have been exposed have been tested, and have been instructed to stay home for the CDC recommended 14-day quarantine period to care for themselves, and to protect the safety of our staff, and customers."

The restaurant's management said, as soon as it was notified of the positive test result, the steakhouse at 1606 W. Snow Ave. in South Tampa’s Hyde Park Village underwent an intensive deep cleaning and disinfecting in addition to its daily sanitation and disinfection protocols.

The restaurant requires all employees to wear masks and gloves at all times, requires staff members to stay at home if they don't feel well and takes the temperature of all staff and customers before they enter the restaurant.

The Meat Market Tampa opened in October after successful launches in Palm Beach, Miami Beach and San Juan.